California signs deal to more than double testing capacity
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP and KION)
California has signed a contract worth up to $1.4 billion with a company to provide a significantly cheaper coronavirus test that will allow the state to eventually more than double the number of people tested to 250,000 per day, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday.
California now averages about 100,000 tests per day, with the state paying $100 per test and results taking between five and seven business days. Newsom said the state’s contract with Massachusetts-based PerkinElmer will increase the state’s testing capacity to a quarter-million per day with each test costing about $31. Results would come within two days.
The contract will initially cost the state $100 million, with a maximum amount of $1.4 billion, according to the Newsom administration. The goal is to begin processing tens of thousands of new tests by November and reach at full capacity by March.
“Supply chains across the country have slowed as demand for COVID-19 tests has increased, and flu season will only exacerbate the problem,” Newsom said. “So we are building our own laboratory capabilities right here on California soil with a stable supply chain to fight the disease, lower the prices of testing for everyone and protect Californians most at risk from COVID-19.”
California has had a relationship with PerkinElmer for 30 years. The company conducts newborn screening for the state and operates other genetic testing programs.
PerkinElmer will use polymerase chain reaction diagnostic testing, which Newsom referred to as the gold standard. But the contract says the company can pivot to new testing technology once it becomes available.
Newsom also said he will be releasing new guidelines for business sector reopening on Friday along with other announcements.
The governor also spoke about the wildfires burning around the state. In the last 24-hours, 423 lightning strikes were reported, and he said they started 50 new fires that have already been suppressed.
Fires are also impacting about 11 COVID-19 testing sites, so the number of tests conducted is lower than it was before the fires.
PREVIOUS STORY: Gov. Gavin Newsom is expected to provide an update on the state's response to wildfires and the COVID-19 pandemic at noon Wednesday.
Cal Fire said weather conditions have helped firefighters as they try to contain the more than two dozen major fires around the state. Since Aug. 15, there have been almost 14,000 lightning strikes around the state and 700 new wildfires. Cal Fire said they have burned more than 1.32 million acres.
As of Aug. 24, the California Department of Public Health said there have been more than 673,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases statewide. 12,257 people have died.
